Shaanxi KJ-500
| KJ-500 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) KJ-500 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) |
| National origin | China |
| Manufacturer | Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation |
| Number built | 60+[1] |
| History | |
| Developed from | Shaanxi Y-9 |
The Shaanxi KJ-500 (Chinese: 空警-500; pinyin: Kōngjǐng Wǔbǎi; literally: "Air Warning 500"), also known as Qianliyan-500[2] (Chinese: 千里眼-500; pinyin: qiān lǐ yǎn-500; lit. 'All-seeing-500') is a third-generation airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft used by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). It was built by Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation,[3] and is based on the Y-9 airframe.
Development
Since the beginning of the 21st century, the detection range and the accuracy of airborne radars have been increasing, and fighters equipped with various types of air-to-air missiles and low-altitude cruise missiles continue to improve in performance, creating a demand for a more capable AEW&C. To address the above issues, China started the development of the KJ-500, its third AEW&C, in the late 2000s. The KJ-500 was required to have three important features, which are good detection capability, good identification ability, and quick responsiveness. The KJ-500 was also required to be the core force of the information combat system, its equipped technology has four major characteristics, which are networking, multi-functionality, high-integration, and lightweight.[4]
The aircraft carries a fixed dorsal radome containing three AESA radar arrays for 360-degree coverage and is said to be more efficient than the two-planar 'balance beam' array design used on the earlier KJ-200. Production of older AEW&C types reportedly ceased production in 2018 in response to the KJ-500 reaching full operational capability.[5]
Operational history
In March 2022, General Kenneth Wilsbach, commander of U.S. Pacific Air Forces, identified the KJ-500 as enablers for long-range Chinese air-to-air missiles.[6]
On 6 June 2025, Pakistan's government officially announced the country's plan to acquire the KJ-500.[7][8][9]
Variants
- KJ-500
- Base variant
- KJ-500H
- Variant for PLA Navy.[10]
- KJ-500A
- Improved variant with an aerial refueling probe. Debut in Zhuhai Airshow 2022.[11]
Operators
- People's Liberation Army Air Force - 60 KJ-500[1]
- People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force - 40+ KJ-500H[12]
Specifications
Limited performance parameters of KJ-500 have been published as follows:[13]
- Max speed (km/h): 550
- Max range (km): 5700
- Max endurance (h): 12
- Max takeoff weight(tons): 77
- Range against fighter sized targets (km): 470[14]
References
- ^ a b "5 Asia". The Military Balance 2025. London: International Institute for Strategic Studies.
- ^ AVIC (2024-11-12). "神、龙、鹰、鲨、鹏……我国军机是如何命名的？" [Gods, Dragons, Eagles, Sharks, Pengs...... How are our countries military aircraft named?] (in Chinese (China)). Xinhua News Agency.
- ^ "空警-500：中国预警机家族新明星" (in Chinese). Xinhua. 31 October 2015. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
- ^ Technology characteristics of the 3rd generation early warning aircraft and its electronic reconnaissance system，ZHEN JunYi, China Academy of Electronics and Science，Beijing 100041，China
- ^ The Military Balance 2022. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 2022. p. 261. ISBN 978-1-032-27900-8.
- ^ Waldron, Greg (16 March 2022). "F-35s have encountered J-20s over East China Sea: USAF general". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
- ^ Osborne, Tony (6 June 2025). "Pakistan Confirms Shenyang J-35 Acquisition Plans". Aviation Week.
- ^ J. Weichert, Brandon (6 June 2025). "Pakistan Is Buying More J-35A Fighters from China This Summer". The National Interest.
- ^ Xiao, Josh; Cha, Sangmi (9 June 2025). "Chinese Defense Companies Soar as Pakistan Touts Arms Purchase". Bloomburg News.
- ^ Newdick, Thomas; Rupprecht, Andreas (5 April 2023). "China's Massive Fleet Of Radar Planes And The Strategy Behind It". The War Zone.
- ^ Trevithick, Joseph (7 November 2022). "All The Air Combat Developments Out Of China's Massive Air Show". The Drive.
- ^ The Military Balance 2025. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 2025. p. 245.
- ^ "Expert: KJ-500 improves China's overall military power". China Military Online. 16 February 2016. Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
- ^ Lei, zhao (4 September 2015). "PLA deploys advanced jets to boost electronic capability". China Daily. Retrieved 30 July 2018.